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Tuesday, May 1, 2012

1 Samuel 18:9-10, Saul brings about his own death

So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. "Consult a spirit for me," he said, "and bring up for me the one I name." But the woman said to him, "Surely you know what Saul has done. He has cut off the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why have you set a trap for my life to bring about my death?"

//In a bizarre series of events, Saul, the first king of Israel, finds himself in a close battle with the Philistines. Terrified, Saul “inquires of the Lord” to find out what to do, but none of the prophets step forward to answer for God. Samuel, Israel’s primary prophet, had died.

So Saul goes in search of a witch to bring Samuel up from the dead, hoping to ask Samuel for advice. But Saul himself had outlawed necromancy just a few verses before this, under penalty of death. So, he finds himself breaking his own law, punishable by death, in hopes of saving his life.

Samuel “comes up” at the witch’s bidding, but he isn’t amused. He says to Saul, “tomorrow you and your sons will be with me.” Meaning, they’ll be dead, residing in Sheol, the underworld.

Oops! Should have obeyed your own law, Saul.

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